FIA 2026 F1 ‘nimble car’ regulations

[Car-Addicted]

The FIA has unveiled a major update in the 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations with a “nimble car” concept aimed at producing smaller, lighter machinery.
The power unit regulations for 2026 were confirmed two seasons ago and helped attract new manufacturers into the sport, but the actual technical regulations for the chassis and aerodynamics have remained a work in progress. That’s partly due to the FIA wanting to adapt them to the demands of the power units — featuring a nearly 50:50 split of internal combustion and electrical propulsion — and has led to a number of radical solutions.

EXPLAINED: From more agile cars to 'X-mode' and 'Z-mode' – unpicking the 2026 aerodynamics regulations

They’ve slashed the wheelbase (length) by 200mm (around the length of your average reusable drinks bottle) to 3400mm while the width has been cut by 100mm (the length of your average chocolate bar) to 1900mm. The floor width has been cut by 150mm, too

Bringing the weight down was a key goal of the revised 2026 regulations with the rulemakers managing to remove 30kg (around the weight of an adult dalmatian, apparently) versus the 2022 machines to get the weight down to 768kg. The FIA say this is 722kg car and 46kg (estimated) tyres.

In tandem, the rules have cut downforce by 30% and reduced drag by 55% in a bid to improve efficiency and handling – and make the cars more raceable.

The width of the front tyres has been cut by 25mm and the rears by 30mm which will cut weight, with the FIA saying there will be a “minimal loss” of grip.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...CmN3GfLMywrgb2

[///M Power-Belgium]

A heavy pig with huge batteries and it will sound like my espresso coffee machine...

[3798j]

While lighter, smaller cars is a small step in the right direction, what might excite many fans the most...DRS is out, replaced by electric boost as a new overtaking measure.

[Car-Addicted]

I can't imagine that active front wings will be cheap to replace or repair.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

I can't imagine that active front wings will be cheap to replace or repair.

I can't imagine that a 2026 F1 car is for 50% an E-Race car .

I can't imagine , the thing has an electric boost to overtake -MOM- (Manual Override Mode) it takes 2-3 laps to recharge the big fat battery .

[Car-Addicted]

Verstappen notes ‘really good progress’ on 2026 regulations but drivers largely split
June 6, 2024
“I’ve seen a lot of simulation,” Verstappen said. “It’s not like it suddenly came out now and now we start developing, it’s something that has been around and fine-tuned of course. And I have to say from the first time I saw it to the latest updates that I’ve seen, I think they made really good progress on how the engine is working with the chassis and the relationship on the straights and stuff.
“Some tracks I think will be better than others, naturally, when you are more energy-limited, but that’s something that we have to deal with.”
“To be honest I’m quite in the middle,” he said. “New rules are new rules, I do think that it’s a bit of a consequence of the engine as well. They say it’s 50:50 between engine and battery, but it’s not really like that, so that’s why we need the active aero on the straight to reduce the drag — to make it more sustainable to do a proper lap, otherwise you run out of battery. Which I think was a problem that they found out.
Verstappen was also unsure the planned 30kg weight reduction would be achievable given current limits, but stated it was too small a change to make a significant difference, something Lewis Hamilton agreed with.
https://racer.com/2024/06/06/verstap...largely-split/

[Killed by Death]

Wish all the drivers would revolt and refuse to drive electric machines!!!

Bring back the V10s

It's only 20 cars>>>>GEEZ!!!!!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Wish all the drivers would revolt and refuse to drive electric machines!!!

Bring back the V10s

It's only 20 cars>>>>GEEZ!!!!!

2026

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Bring back the V10s

Been watching the F1 channel on Pluto TV and the replays of the 2000 races may have poor camera work compared to today's but the sound of the V10 makes up for the poor picture.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

2026

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Been watching the F1 channel on Pluto TV and the replays of the 2000 races may have poor camera work compared to today's but the sound of the V10 makes up for the poor picture.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Been watching the F1 channel on Pluto TV and the replays of the 2000 races may have poor camera work compared to today's but the sound of the V10 makes up for the poor picture.

I watch old races from time to time on F1 TV, you don't realize how terrible the sound is now until you go back to the old races. It's just so bad now.

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Wish all the drivers would revolt and refuse to drive electric machines!!!

Bring back the V10s

It's only 20 cars>>>>GEEZ!!!!!

Once I did a back of the envelope maths with the old 2.4 V8s. An entire season, all cars, winter tests, commercial shooting, free practices, qualifying and races, used less fuel than one 747 flight between London and Sidney.

Whilst every drop counts, Formula 1 is not a low hanging fruit by a mile. Go figure.

[Killed by Death]

This may be an extreme view but I honestly don't think F1 values older life long fans anymore. They want the newer Netflix / TikTok generation. I honestly believe 2025 will be the end of F1 for me. I'll give 2026 a try but expect to be extremely disappointed

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

I honestly believe 2025 will be the end of F1 for me.(

Tantalising ! :P

[Killed by Death]

[E92inNC]

Leave the electrification to Formula E. Bring back the NA engines and get the weight down below 650Kg.

[G30M]

according to Newey

Adrian Newey on the 2026 regulations:
“The FIA appears to be heavily influenced by one or two manufacturers, in the hope they will appease those manufacturers but also perhaps attract others in. I suppose since Audi are coming in for 2026 there has been a partial success in this regard, but I’m not sure it’s worth the overall compromise of what could be achieved. The reality is manufacturers come and go, with the exception of Ferrari.”
“It’s the teams that are core to the business and then of course the big actual core is the viewing public. So it’s essential we provide a good show and as part of that variety is proven to be well rewarded.”

https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-2-...t-against-fia/

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by G30M

Adrian Newey on the 2026 regulations:
“The FIA appears to be heavily influenced by one or two manufacturers,

I had a strong feeling from the beginning of this that Audi had more input than the current constructors. The 2026 regulations would have put existing teams with their years of set up knowledge on even ground with new constructors. There may be hope for 2026 yet?

[G30M]

[G30M]

looks like the car's been rendered on Assetto Corsa

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by G30M

looks like the car's been rendered on Assetto Corsa

It still hurts to see #44 on a Ferrari